Which term refers to the measure of the total effect of all forces acting on a body?

The term that describes the measure of the total effect of all forces acting on a body is net force. Net force refers to the vector sum of all individual forces applied to an object, determining the resulting acceleration or motion of that object according to Newton's second law of motion.

When multiple forces act on an object, some may oppose others, and the net force quantifies this cumulative effect. If forces are balanced, the net force is zero, resulting in no change in motion. When unbalanced forces act, the net force indicates the direction and magnitude of the acceleration that will occur.

Understanding net force is essential in biomechanics and kinesiology, as it helps explain how external forces affect human movement and performance. In contrast, acceleration relates to how quickly an object's velocity changes, torque is associated with rotational forces, and momentum pertains to the quantity of motion an object has, which is dependent on both mass and velocity. Each of these concepts is related but highlights different aspects of motion and force.